CN108366648B

CN108366648B - Zipper assembly

Info

Publication number: CN108366648B
Application number: CN201680070559.9A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 克里斯汀·伯克; 斯蒂芬妮·斯科特; 丽贝卡·M·希恩; 克里斯托弗·德盖塔诺; 埃勒斯班·蒙托亚
Original assignee: Nike Inc
Current assignee: Nike Inc
Priority date: 2015-12-02
Filing date: 2016-12-02
Publication date: 2021-08-10
Anticipated expiration: 2036-12-02
Also published as: US10993508B2; EP3383218B1; US20190298008A1; EP3383218A1; WO2017096250A1; CN108366648A; US20170156453A1; US10368616B2

Abstract

A zipper assembly includes a plurality of elements, such as a zipper slider body (10) and a zipper pull (12). The zipper slider (12) may be gripped when manually moving the zipper slider body (10) back and forth along the zipper tooth assemblies (46, 48), such as when releasably securing portions or edges of an article (110) together. Further, the zipper pull (12) includes one or more additional hook loops that are releasably attached to other surfaces or articles.

Description

Zipper assembly

Summary of The Invention

The zipper assembly includes various elements such as a zipper slider body (zipper-slider body) and a zipper slider (zipper puller). The zipper slider can be gripped when manually moving the zipper slider body back and forth along the zipper tooth assembly, such as when releasably securing portions or edges of an article together. Further, the zipper pull includes one or more additional hook loops that are releasably attached to other surfaces or articles.

The present application relates to the following aspects:

1) a zipper assembly comprising: a zipper slider body having a slider retention coupling; and a zipper slider directly coupled to the zipper slider body, the zipper slider including a slider attachment loop and a hooking loop separated by a cross member, the slider attachment loop interlocking with the slider retention connection, the hooking loop including a door movable between an open position and a closed position.

2) The zipper assembly of 1), wherein the hooking loop and the door comprise at least a portion of a catch, and wherein the cross-member separates the slider attachment loop from the catch.

3) The zipper assembly of 1) further comprising a spring-loaded coupler hingedly attaching the door to the cross member.

4) The zipper assembly of 3), wherein the door comprises a spring-loaded wire door.

5) The zipper assembly of 1), wherein the door comprises a nut and the hitching ring and the door comprise at least a portion of a link-type connector.

6) The zipper assembly of 1), wherein the zipper slider body further comprises: a first plate and a second plate connected by a web, the first plate comprising a web-facing surface and a slider-facing surface, the slider-facing surface facing away from the web-facing surface; a first zipper tooth guide channel between the web-facing surface of the first plate and the second plate and on a first side of the web; and a second zipper tooth guide channel between the web-facing surface of the first plate and the second plate and on a second side of the web, the slider retaining connection being coupled to the slider-facing surface.

7) The zipper assembly of claim 6), further comprising: a first zipper tooth assembly coupled to the first zipper tooth guide channel, a second zipper tooth assembly coupled to the second zipper tooth guide channel, and a zipper slider anchor releasably attached to the hooking ring.

8) The zipper assembly of 7), wherein the first zipper tooth assembly, the second zipper tooth assembly, and the zipper slider anchor are coupled to a garment.

9) The zipper assembly of 8), wherein the zipper slider anchor is positioned on the garment between the first and second ends of the first and second zipper tooth assemblies.

10) The zipper assembly of 7), wherein the first zipper tooth assembly, the second zipper tooth assembly, and the zipper slider anchor are coupled to a bag.

11) The zipper assembly of 10), wherein the zipper slider anchor is positioned on the bag and between the first and second ends of the first and second zipper tooth assemblies.

12) The zipper assembly of claim 6), further comprising: a first zipper tooth assembly coupled to the first zipper tooth guide channel, a second zipper tooth assembly coupled to the second zipper tooth guide channel, the first zipper tooth assembly and the second zipper tooth assembly forming a releasable fastener for a garment pocket.

13) An article having a zipper assembly, the article comprising: a first zipper tooth assembly; a second zipper tooth assembly; a zipper slider body attachable to the first and second zipper tooth assemblies, the zipper slider body having a slider retaining connection; and a zipper slider directly coupled to the zipper slider body, the zipper slider including a slider attachment loop and a hooking loop separated by a cross member, the slider attachment loop interlocking with the slider retention connection, the hooking loop including a door movable between an open position and a closed position.

14) The article of 13), wherein the article comprises a garment having a first textile edge and a second textile edge; wherein the first zipper tooth assembly is attached near the first textile edge and the second zipper tooth assembly is attached near the second textile edge; and wherein the first textile edge is releasably attachable to the second textile edge by moving the zipper slider body back and forth along the first zipper tooth assembly and the second zipper tooth assembly.

15) The article of 14), wherein the first textile edge and the second textile edge are positioned on a front portion of the garment.

16) The article of 14), wherein the first textile edge and the second textile edge form an opening to a pocket of the garment.

17) The article of claim 13), wherein the article comprises a bag having a first textile edge and a second textile edge forming an opening to a pocket; wherein the first zipper tooth assembly is attached near the first textile edge and the second zipper tooth assembly is attached near the second textile edge; and wherein the first textile edge is releasably attachable to the second textile edge by moving the zipper slider body back and forth along the first zipper tooth assembly and the second zipper tooth assembly.

18) The article of claim 13), wherein the article comprises an article of footwear having an upper comprising a first textile edge and a second textile edge; wherein the first zipper tooth assembly is attached near the first textile edge and the second zipper tooth assembly is attached near the second textile edge; and wherein the first textile edge is releasably attachable to the second textile edge by moving the zipper slider body back and forth along the first zipper tooth assembly and the second zipper tooth assembly.

19) An article having a zipper assembly, the article comprising: a first zipper tooth assembly; a second zipper tooth assembly; a zipper slider body attachable to the first and second zipper tooth assemblies, the zipper slider body having a slider retaining connection, the zipper slider body being movable back and forth along the first and second zipper tooth assemblies through a series of slider positions when the zipper slider body is attached to the first and second zipper tooth assemblies; a zipper slider directly coupled to the zipper slider body, the zipper slider including a slider attachment loop and a hooking loop separated by a cross member, the slider attachment loop being interlocked with the slider retention connection, the hooking loop including a door movable between an open position and a closed position; and a zipper slider anchor to which the hooking ring is releasably attachable when the zipper slider body is located in one or more slider positions of the series of slider positions, wherein back and forth movement of the zipper slider body along the first and second zipper tooth assemblies is prevented when the hooking ring is attached to the zipper slider anchor.

20) The article of 19), further comprising a plurality of zipper slider anchors including the zipper slider anchor and at least one other zipper slider anchor attached to the article at different anchor locations, wherein the zipper slider body is retainable at a first slider location by releasably attaching the suspension loop to the zipper slider anchor at a first anchor location, and wherein the zipper slider body is retainable at a second slider location by releasably attaching the suspension loop to the at least one other zipper slider anchor at a second anchor location, the first slider location being different from the second slider location.

Aspects of the present technology are defined by the following claims, rather than this brief summary. A high-level overview of aspects of the present technology is provided in this section to introduce a selection of concepts that are further described below in the detailed description. This brief summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used in isolation as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. Brief Description of Drawings

The invention is described in detail herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein by reference, wherein:

FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of a zipper slider body in combination with a zipper pull in accordance with an aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 2 depicts a perspective view of a zipper slider body and zipper pull in a separated state, in accordance with an aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 3 depicts a plan view of a zipper slider body and zipper slider, according to an aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 4 depicts a garment having a zipper assembly according to aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 5 depicts the garment of FIG. 4 in a partially pulled-apart state, in accordance with aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 6 depicts another garment having a zipper assembly according to aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 7 depicts the garment of FIG. 6 in a partially pulled-apart state, in accordance with aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 8 depicts a bag having a zipper assembly according to an aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 9 depicts the bag of FIG. 8 in a partially pulled apart state, in accordance with an aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 10 depicts an article of footwear having a zipper assembly according to aspects of the present invention; and

FIG. 11 depicts a portion of an article including a zipper assembly according to aspects of the present invention.

Detailed description of the invention

The subject matter is described in detail and with specificity throughout this specification to meet statutory requirements. The aspects described throughout this specification are intended to be illustrative rather than limiting, and the description itself is not intended to limit the scope of the claims. Rather, the claimed subject matter might be practiced in other ways, to include different elements or combinations of elements, which are similar to the elements described in this specification, and in conjunction with other present or future technologies. Alternative aspects will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art to which the described aspects pertain upon reading this disclosure, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. This is covered by and within the scope of the claims.

The subject matter described in this specification relates generally to zipper assemblies. Among other things, zipper assemblies may be used to releasably secure portions or edges of articles such as garments, bags, articles of footwear, and the like together. In addition, the zipper assembly includes a zipper slider that provides additional functionality, and in this sense, the zipper slider is a multi-functional zipper slider. For example, zipper pulls include one or more additional hook loops that are releasably attached to other surfaces or articles. This hooking function of the zipper pull can be used in various ways. For example, the additional hooking function of the zipper slider may be used to secure the zipper slider body in a partial-zipper arrangement (partial-zip arrangement) with respect to the article. Securing the zipper slider body in a partially zipped arrangement can be helpful in a variety of situations, such as when partially zipping or unzipping clothing or shoes, or when securing a bag pocket in a partially zipped position. These and other operations of the zipper pull will be described in additional detail elsewhere in this specification.

Referring now to fig. 1, 2 and 3, exemplary elements of a zipper assembly are depicted, including a zipper slider body 10 and a zipper pull 12. Typically, zipper slider 12 is attached to zipper slider body 10, and zipper slider 12 can be grasped and pulled to move zipper slider body 10 back and forth along a set of zipper teeth in order to couple (i.e., pull up) or decouple (i.e., unzip) the teeth. The zipper slider body 10 includes various features that facilitate pulling a set of zipper teeth up or down. For example, the zipper slider body 10 includes a first panel 14, a second panel 16, and a web 18 extending between the first and

second panels

14, 16 and coupling the first panel 14 to the second panel 16. The first plate 14, the second plate 16 and the web 18 form a first zipper tooth guide channel 20 on a first side of the web 18 and a second zipper tooth guide channel 22 on a second side of the web 18. In this way, the first and second sets of teeth are passable through the respective channels when the slider body 10 is pulled from one portion of the zipper to another portion of the zipper. The first and second sets of zipper teeth are coupled (i.e., zipped up) or decoupled (i.e., unzipped) by the zipper slider body 10, depending on the direction the zipper slider body 10 is moved back and forth. The zipper slider body 10 depicted in fig. 1 is illustrative, and various other zipper slider bodies can also be included in other aspects of the present disclosure. For example, the first plate 14, the second plate 16, and the web 18 may comprise one or more discrete structures coupled together to form a plurality of zipper tooth guides.

As previously indicated, in one aspect of the present disclosure, zipper slider 12 is directly attached to zipper slider body 10. For example, the first plate 14 includes a web facing surface 24 that faces the web 18 and faces the

slots

20 and 22. Further, the first plate 14 includes a slider facing surface 26 facing away from the web facing surface 24. The zipper slider body 10 includes a slider-retaining link 28, the slider-retaining link 28 protruding from the web-facing surface 24 and forming a loop with a connecting hole 30 (e.g., fig. 2).

The slider retaining connection 28 may include various configurations. For example, the slider retaining connection 28 may be a lug (lug) attached to or integrally formed with the slider facing surface 26. In another example, the slider retaining connection 28 may comprise one or more rigid or flexible members that pass through one or more holes in the first plate 14 to extend from the web-facing surface 24 to above the slider-facing surface 26. The slider retaining connection 28 may form a closed loop with the slider facing surface 26. Or the slider retaining connection 28 may form a partially closed loop. For example, in fig. 2, the end of the slider retaining connection 28 is spaced from the slider facing surface 26 by a gap 32 such that the slider retaining connection 28 and the slider facing surface 26 form a partially closed loop.

Zipper pull 12 may be attached to zipper slider body 10 in a variety of ways. In the illustrative figures, zipper pull 12 includes a pull attachment loop 34. The slider attachment loop 34 includes one or more sides that form a perimeter at least partially around the slider attachment window 36. In the illustrative zipper pull 12, the pull attachment loop 34 forms a closed loop around the pull attachment window 36. And in other aspects the slider attachment loop 34 may form a partially closed loop. To attach zipper slider 12 to zipper slider body 10, slider retention connector 28 of zipper slider body 10 is interconnected with slider attachment loop 34 of zipper slider 12. For example, an open end of the slider retaining connection 28 may pass through the slider attachment window 36. Further, slider attachment loop 34 may include an open portion (e.g., a clevis) that interconnects with slider retention link 28 and then couples to (e.g., inserts into) a portion of zipper slider 12.

Zipper pull 12 also includes a catch loop 40, which catch loop 40 may be used to releasably attach zipper pull 12 to other surfaces or objects. The hooking loop 40 and the slider attachment loop 34 are integrally formed with or coupled to the cross member 38, the cross member 38 separating the hooking loop 40 and the slider attachment loop 34 and serving as a base or foundation for the hooking loop 40 and the slider attachment loop 34. For illustrative purposes, the cross member 38 is depicted as a plate. And in other aspects, the cross member 38 may take other forms, such as one or more posts or other structural bases that separate the slider attachment loop 34 and the suspension loop 40 and provide a foundation from which the slider attachment loop 34 and the suspension loop 40 may extend. The cross member 38 also provides a breakaway structure to prevent interference between the slider retaining connection 28 and another object (e.g., anchor 50 in fig. 4-9) that may be retained within the hitch ring 40.

Further, zipper pull 12 includes a door 42 movable between an open position and a closed position. For example, zipper pull 12 includes a spring-loaded coupler 44 that attaches door 42 to cross member 38. The spring-loaded coupling 44 may include various structures that bias the door 42 in the closed position (depicted in fig. 1-3). For example, the spring-loaded coupling 44 may include a coil spring, a leaf spring, a cantilever spring, and the like. The gate 42 is schematically depicted as a wire gate. And in other aspects, the door 42 may comprise other types of spring-loaded doors, such as straight doors, spiral doors, double doors, and the like. In another aspect, hitch ring 40 and door 42 may include at least a portion of a carabiner. Although spring-loaded doors are depicted in several of the figures described in this specification, in other aspects different styles of doors may be used. For example, one aspect includes a link-type link having a nut.

Portions of zipper pull 12 may be formed from a variety of materials. For example, the slider attachment ring 34, cross member 38, and suspension ring 40 may be cast or injection molded as a single piece from polymers (e.g., polyester, thermoplastic polyurethane, etc.), metals, composites, and the like. Alternatively, the slider attachment loop 34, cross member 38 and suspension loop 40 may be formed as two or more separate pieces that are assembled by mechanical connection, adhesives, welding and the like. The material from which zipper pull 12 is constructed may have various characteristics, such as a threshold hardness or shear properties capable of withstanding a pulling force. For example, a pulling force may be applied to zipper pull 12 as a result of being used to adjust the zipper position, to attach the zipper pull to another portion of the article, or to attach the article to another object using the zipper pull. Further, one or more surfaces of zipper pull 12 may be modified to include grip enhancing surfaces that may increase friction between the zipper pull and, for example, a user's gripping fingers. For example, zipper pull 12 may include a knurled finish (knurled finish) or other surface finish molded into, stamped into, or cut into the zipper pull. Further, zipper pull 12 may include a coating, such as a rubber coating, a silicone coating, and the like.

Zipper pull 12 may have various dimensions that contribute to the multi-functional nature of zipper pull 12. FIG. 1 depicts zipper pull 12 as including a thickness 60, and FIG. 3 depicts zipper pull 12 as including a length 62 and a width 64. Thickness 60, length 62, and width 64 may include various dimensions suitable for both gripping with the ability to pull the zipper, and for hooking when zipper pull 12 is used to hook onto another surface. For example, the thickness 60 may be in the range of about 5mm to about 10 mm. However, in other aspects, the thickness 60 may be less than 5mm or greater than 10 mm. Further, the length 62 may be in a range of about 20mm to about 40 mm. However, in other aspects, the length 62 may be less than 20mm or greater than 40 mm. Further, the width 64 may be in a range of about 6mm to about 11 mm. And other aspects may include a width 64 of less than 6mm or greater than 11 mm.

Zipper pull 12 may be configured as a multi-functional element in a variety of circumstances. Referring now to fig. 4 and 5, a garment 110 including zipper pull 12 is depicted. In addition, the garment 110 includes a first zipper tooth assembly 46 and a second zipper tooth assembly 48. The zipper tooth assembly may include various structures that attach a set of zipper teeth to a portion of a garment and allow the zipper slider to move back and forth from one end of the zipper tooth assembly toward the other end of the zipper tooth assembly. For example, in garment 110, each of the zipper tooth assemblies 46 and 48 may include a zipper strip attached to a portion of garment 110, a set of zipper teeth attached to the respective zipper strip, and a stop coupled to the zipper strip near a collar portion of garment 110. Additionally, one of the zipper element assemblies 46 may include a zipper box and the other zipper element assembly 48 may include a zipper pin.

In aspects of the present disclosure, the zipper assembly depicted in fig. 4 and 5 includes an anchor 50, the anchor 50 being attached to the garment 110 and positioned between the first and second ends of the zipper tooth assemblies 46 and 48. For example, the anchor 50 may be a string loop, a fabric loop, a wire loop, or other loop-like structure. As depicted in fig. 5, when the zipper tooth assemblies 46 and 48 are partially unzipped (e.g., quarter-zipped, half-zipped, etc.) by adjusting the position of the zipper slider body 10, the zipper pull 12 can be attached to the anchor 50 using the attachment loop 40 in order to fix the position of the zipper slider body 10. In this sense, the anchor 50 may be a zipper slider anchor in that it at least partially retains or secures the position of the zipper slider body.

Among other functions, securing the position of the zipper slider body 10 in a partially zipped arrangement can help secure the garment 110 to the wearer. Further, the anchor 50 may be strategically positioned at different locations along the zipper teeth assembly to provide a vent having preconfigured dimensions based on the location of the anchor 50. Although fig. 4 and 5 depict a single anchor 50, multiple anchors may be positioned at different locations along the garment to provide vents of various predetermined sizes. Further, although the anchors 50 are depicted on the exterior of the garment 110, one or more anchors may be coupled to an interior surface of the garment 110. Further, while the anchor 50 is depicted partially between the ends of the zipper teeth assembly, in another aspect, the anchor may be positioned near the collar of the garment 110 to help secure the zipper in the closed condition and prevent inadvertent unzipping.

Referring to fig. 7 and 8, another garment 112 including zipper pull 12 is depicted. Garment 112 includes offset

zipper tooth assemblies

146 and 148. Due in part to the offset nature of the

zipper teeth assemblies

146 and 148, the flap 114 releases when the

zipper teeth assemblies

146 and 148 are at least partially pulled apart. According to an aspect of the present invention, zipper assembly includes an anchor 50, anchor 50 being attached to tab 114 and securable to a hooking ring 40 of zipper pull 12. For example, the hooking ring 40 may be attached to the anchor 50 when the

zipper teeth assemblies

146 and 148 are at least partially pulled apart. Attaching anchor 50 of tab 114 to zipper pull 12 may reduce the extent to which tab 114 is free to flutter or undulate when

zipper tooth assemblies

146 and 148 are at least partially unzipped. Anchors 50 may be strategically positioned at different locations along flap 114 to help secure flap 114 against garment 112. Although fig. 7 depicts a single anchor 50, multiple anchors may be positioned at different locations along garment 112 to provide multiple preconfigured anchor locations. Further, although the anchor 50 is depicted on the interior of the garment 112, one or more anchors may be coupled to the outer surface of the flap 114.

Referring now to fig. 8 and 9, a bag including zipper pull 12 is depicted. The bag includes a first zipper tooth assembly 246 and a second zipper tooth assembly 248. The

zipper tooth assemblies

246 and 248 can be attached to each other at both ends such that the

zipper tooth assemblies

246 and 248 share a first zipper stop at one end and a second zipper stop at the opposite end. In aspects of the present disclosure, the zipper assembly depicted in fig. 8 and 9 includes an anchor 50, the anchor 50 being attached to the bag and positioned between the first and second ends of the

zipper teeth assemblies

246 and 248. As previously described, the anchor 50 may be a string loop, a fabric loop, a wire loop, or other looped structure. As depicted in fig. 9, when the

zipper tooth assemblies

246 and 248 are partially unzipped (e.g., quarter-zipped, half-zipped, etc.) by adjusting the position of the zipper slider body 10, zipper pull 12 can be attached to the anchor 50 using the attachment loop 40 in order to fix the position of the zipper slider body 10.

Among other functions, securing the position of the zipper slider body 10 can help prevent the zipper assembly from inadvertently opening more than a desired amount. In addition, the anchor 50 can be strategically positioned at different locations along the zipper teeth assembly to provide a zipper opening of a predetermined size. Although fig. 8 and 9 depict a single anchor 50, multiple anchors may be positioned at different locations along the package. In addition, an anchor may be placed proximate to the closed end of

zipper tooth assemblies

246 and 248 to prevent inadvertent opening by securing the hooking loop 40 of zipper pull 12 when the zipper is fully closed (i.e., zipped).

Referring now to FIG. 10, an article of footwear 310 including zipper pull 12 is depicted. In addition, article of footwear 310 includes an upper 312, upper 312 having a first edge 314 and a second edge 316. In addition, the article of footwear includes a first zipper tooth assembly 346 coupled to first edge 314 and a second zipper tooth assembly 348 coupled near second edge 316. The

zipper tooth assemblies

346 and 348 may be secured to one another at one end by a shared stop element (not depicted).

In aspects of the present disclosure, the zipper assembly depicted in fig. 10 includes an anchor 50, the anchor 50 being attached to the article of footwear 310 and near the collar of the article of footwear 310. For example, the anchor 50 may be a string loop, a fabric loop, a wire loop, or other loop-like structure. When the

zipper tooth assemblies

346 and 348 are pulled up by adjusting the position of the zipper slider body 10, the zipper slider 12 can be hung to the anchor 50 using the hanging ring 40 so as to fix the position of the zipper slider body 10.

Among other functions, securing the position of the zipper slider body 10 in a fully zipped arrangement may help secure the article of footwear 310 to the wearer. Further, the anchor 50 (or additional anchors) may be strategically positioned at different locations along the zipper teeth assembly to provide preconfigured dimensions based on the location of the anchor 50. Further, although anchors 50 are depicted on the exterior of article of footwear 310, one or more anchors may be coupled to an interior surface of article of footwear 310. In another aspect, zipper pull 12 may be attached to another garment, such as a trouser leg, to secure the garment in position relative to article of footwear 310.

Zipper pull 12 may also be used in other situations. For example, zipper pull 12 may be used to releasably couple an article to another article or another surface. For example, a zipper pull hook function may be used to suspend a garment, bag or article of footwear in a storage position. In addition, zipper pull 12 may be strategically positioned on various types of bags or garment pockets to releasably grip onto various articles. For example, the inner storage pocket may be equipped with a zipper pull 12 to grip a key ring or other article. In another aspect, zipper pull 12 may be strategically positioned to clamp onto a media cord (e.g., an earphone cord). Zipper pull 12 may also be strategically positioned to grip onto a label, such as a ski-lift ticket. These are merely exemplary, non-limiting aspects, and zipper pull 12 may be used to releasably clamp onto a variety of other articles and surfaces.

Referring now to FIG. 11, another aspect of the present disclosure is illustratively depicted. Fig. 11 depicts a partial view of an article 410. Article 410 may include various articles of manufacture such as garments, bags, articles of footwear, and the like. The article includes a first textile edge 412 and a second textile edge 414. The first textile edge 412 and the second textile edge 414 can be positioned in different locations on the respective article. For example, if the article 410 is an upper body garment (e.g., jacket), the textile edges may form an opening along a front portion of the upper body garment. Further, the textile edges may form an opening to the pocket, which may be an outer pocket or an inner pocket. In another aspect where the item 410 is a bag (e.g., a luggage bag, a backpack (backpack), a knapsack (knapsack), etc.), the textile edges may form a closable opening for the main compartment or for the auxiliary compartment. When article 410 is an article of footwear, the textile edge may extend through a portion of the upper, such as from a toe area (vamp area) of the upper to a collar portion of the upper.

In fig. 11, a first zipper tooth assembly 446 is attached near the first textile edge 412 and a second zipper tooth assembly 448 is attached near the second textile edge 414. Further, the article 410 includes a zipper slider body 10, the zipper slider body 10 being attachable to a first zipper tooth assembly 446 and a second zipper tooth assembly 448, the zipper slider body having a slider retaining connection 28. The first textile edge 412 is releasably attachable to the second textile edge 414 by moving the zipper slider body 10 back and forth along the first and second

zipper tooth assemblies

446, 448. In addition, the zipper slider body 10 is movable back and forth along the first zipper tooth assembly and the second zipper tooth assembly through a series of slider positions in order to pull the assemblies up a selectable amount (e.g., fully pulled up, half pulled up, quarter pulled up, etc.). Article 410 also includes zipper pull 12 coupled directly to zipper slider body 10. As described elsewhere in this disclosure, the zipper slider includes a slider attachment loop and a hooking loop separated by a cross-member, the slider attachment loop interlocking with the slider retention connection. In addition, the hitch ring includes a door movable between an open position and a closed position.

In fig. 11, article 410 also includes zipper slider anchor 50A, and when zipper slider body 10 is located at a particular slider location near anchor 50A, a hooking loop 40 can be releasably attached to zipper slider anchor 50A. Further, when the hooking ring is attached to the zipper slider anchor 50A, the zipper slider body is prevented from moving back and forth along the first and second zipper tooth assemblies. For example, when the hooking ring 40 is coupled to the anchor 50A, the zipper slider body 10 will be prevented from moving back and forth upward or downward (relative to the perspective view shown in fig. 11).

In another aspect, article 410 includes a plurality of zipper slider anchors, including zipper slider anchor 50A and at least one other zipper slider anchor 50B, zipper slider anchor 50A and at least one other zipper slider anchor 50B being attached to article 410 at different anchor locations. For example, anchors 50A and 50B are spaced apart and positioned closer to respective ends of

zipper tooth assemblies

446 and 448. In this way, zipper slider body 10 can be held at different positions along the zipper in order to selectively open the zipper to different degrees, depending on which anchor is coupled to zipper pull 12.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that this invention is one well adapted to attain all the ends and objects set forth above, together with other advantages which are obvious and which are inherent to the structure.

It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. This is covered by and within the scope of the claims.

Since many possible embodiments may be made of the invention without departing from the scope thereof, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Claims

1. A zipper assembly comprising:

a zipper slider body having a slider retaining connection, a first zipper tooth guide channel, to which a first zipper tooth assembly is coupled, and a second zipper tooth guide channel, to which a second zipper tooth assembly is coupled;

a zipper slider directly coupled to the zipper slider body, the zipper slider including a slider attachment loop and a hooking loop separated by a cross member, the slider attachment loop being interlocked with the slider retention connection, the hooking loop including a door movable between an open position and a closed position; and

a plurality of zipper slider anchors releasably attached to the hooking ring,

wherein the plurality of zipper slider anchors are positioned at different locations between the first and second terminal ends of the first zipper tooth assembly and between the first and second terminal ends of the second zipper tooth assembly.

2. The zipper assembly of claim 1, wherein the hooking loop and the door comprise at least a portion of a catch, and wherein the cross-member separates the slider attachment loop from the catch.

3. The zipper assembly of claim 1 further comprising a spring-loaded coupler that hingedly attaches the door to the cross member.

4. The zipper assembly of claim 3 wherein the door comprises a spring-loaded wire door.

5. The zipper assembly of claim 1 wherein the door comprises a nut and the hitching ring and the door comprise at least a portion of a link-type connector.

6. The zipper assembly of claim 1, wherein the zipper slider body further comprises:

a first plate and a second plate connected by a web, the first plate comprising a web-facing surface and a slider-facing surface, the slider-facing surface facing away from the web-facing surface;

wherein the first zipper tooth guide channel is between the web-facing surface of the first plate and the second plate and on a first side of the web; and

wherein the second zipper tooth guide channel is between the web-facing surface of the first plate and the second plate and on a second side of the web, the slider retaining connection being coupled to the slider-facing surface.

7. The zipper assembly of claim 1 wherein the plurality of zipper slider anchors are positioned spaced apart from the first zipper tooth assembly and the second zipper tooth assembly.

8. The zipper assembly of claim 1 wherein the first zipper tooth assembly, the second zipper tooth assembly, and the plurality of zipper slider anchors are coupled to a garment.

9. The zipper assembly of claim 1, wherein one or more surfaces of the zipper pull comprise a finish of a grip enhancing surface.

10. The zipper assembly of claim 1 wherein the first zipper tooth assembly, the second zipper tooth assembly, and the plurality of zipper slider anchors are coupled to a bag.

11. The zipper assembly of claim 1 wherein the first zipper tooth assembly and the second zipper tooth assembly form a releasable fastener for a garment pocket.

12. An article having a zipper assembly, the article comprising:

a first zipper tooth assembly;

a second zipper tooth assembly;

a zipper slider body attachable to the first and second zipper tooth assemblies, the zipper slider body having a slider retaining connection;

a plurality of zipper slider anchors releasably attached to the hooking ring;

wherein the plurality of zipper slider anchors are positioned on the article at different locations between the first and second terminal ends of the first zipper tooth assembly and between the first and second terminal ends of the second zipper tooth assembly.

13. The article of claim 12, wherein one or more surfaces of the zipper pull comprise a finish of a grip enhancing surface.

14. The article of claim 12, wherein the article comprises a garment having a first textile edge and a second textile edge; wherein the first zipper tooth assembly is attached near the first textile edge and the second zipper tooth assembly is attached near the second textile edge; and wherein the first textile edge is releasably attachable to the second textile edge by moving the zipper slider body back and forth along the first zipper tooth assembly and the second zipper tooth assembly.

15. The article of claim 14, wherein the first textile edge and the second textile edge are positioned on a front portion of the garment.

16. The article of claim 14, wherein the first textile edge and the second textile edge form an opening to a pocket of the garment.

17. The article of claim 12, wherein the article comprises a bag having a first textile edge and a second textile edge forming an opening to a pocket; wherein the first zipper tooth assembly is attached near the first textile edge and the second zipper tooth assembly is attached near the second textile edge; and wherein the first textile edge is releasably attachable to the second textile edge by moving the zipper slider body back and forth along the first zipper tooth assembly and the second zipper tooth assembly.

18. The article of claim 12, wherein the article comprises an article of footwear having an upper including a first textile edge and a second textile edge; wherein the first zipper tooth assembly is attached near the first textile edge and the second zipper tooth assembly is attached near the second textile edge; and wherein the first textile edge is releasably attachable to the second textile edge by moving the zipper slider body back and forth along the first zipper tooth assembly and the second zipper tooth assembly.

19. An article having a zipper assembly, the article comprising: a first zipper tooth assembly; a second zipper tooth assembly; a zipper slider body attachable to the first and second zipper tooth assemblies, the zipper slider body having a slider retaining connection, the zipper slider body being movable back and forth along the first and second zipper tooth assemblies through a series of slider positions when the zipper slider body is attached to the first and second zipper tooth assemblies; a zipper slider directly coupled to the zipper slider body, the zipper slider including a slider attachment loop and a hooking loop separated by a cross member, the slider attachment loop being interlocked with the slider retention connection, the hooking loop including a door movable between an open position and a closed position; and a zipper slider anchor positioned on the article at a location between the first and second terminal ends of the first zipper tooth assembly and between the first and second terminal ends of the second zipper tooth assembly, the shackle is releasably attachable to the zipper slider anchor when the first zipper tooth assembly and the second zipper tooth assembly are partially unzipped, wherein back and forth movement of the zipper slider body along the first zipper tooth assembly and the second zipper tooth assembly is prevented when the hooking ring is attached to the zipper slider anchor, wherein the article further comprises a plurality of zipper slider anchors including the zipper slider anchor and at least one other zipper slider anchor, the zipper slider anchor and the at least one other zipper slider anchor are attached to the article at different anchor locations.

20. The article of claim 19, wherein the zipper slider body is retainable at a first slider location by releasably attaching the suspension loop to the zipper slider anchor at a first anchor location, and wherein the zipper slider body is retainable at a second slider location by releasably attaching the suspension loop to the at least one other zipper slider anchor at a second anchor location, the first slider location being different from the second slider location.